Another is that Iranian Kurds joined in the protests in Sanandaj and other cities, throwing a scare into the regime, which is said to be sending armored vehicles to help restore order. Iranian Kurdish dissidents have been targeted by the regime for harsh treatment in recent months. The rise of a semi-independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq has increased worries in Tehran about Kurdish separatism. It is alleged that PEJAK, the Iranian-Kurdish guerrilla group, has carried operations against the regime with US encouragement.

The USG Open Source Center translates an article on the conciliatory suggestions of Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi:

‘ Iran: Senior Ayatollah Calls For ‘Truce And Then A Ceasefire’Iranian Students News AgencyMonday, December 7, 2009 Document Type: OSC SummaryTehran Iranian Students News Agency in Persian at 1129 GMT on 7 December carried the text of an interview with Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, senior cleric and member of the Assembly of Experts, published on Jamaran News website on 3 December on the anniversary of the passing of the Islamic Republic constitution.

In the interview, the ayatollah was asked to comment on the unrest and arrests that followed Iran’s presidential elections in June 2009. Makarem-Shirazi urged the two sides to negotiate a truce and then a ceasefire.

“Wherever there is war, a peace treaty is not suddenly achieved. They should introduce a truce first and then after a while when the tensions settle, they hold negotiations in a calm environment. I believe that a truce should be worked out. If we want to reach unity, there is a strategy for it.

“When we talk about unity, we are talking about people who believe in the constitution, leadership, Islam, and the interests of the country. Those who believe in those issues can reach unity. However, the precondition is to create a calm environment and then some people, who are respected by society and are moderate thinkers, should agree on the principles of unity. I do not believe that we have reached the end of the road, there is no deadlock.

“I have worked out a few principles but cannot discuss them under the current circumstances. If a calm atmosphere is created and if some people step forward to reach unity, then I will pronounce my views, too. I believe we can reach unity.“I have repeatedly said that there were a few rioters who should be dealt with separately. However, a large number of people formed the majority in the elections and another large number of people the minority. We should create understanding between the two groups. After all they are 13-14m people who live in this country and the 24-25m people (referring to pro-President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad voters) live in this country, too. In other countries, figures less than these are cared for and governments negotiate with two-three million people.

We should sit together and negotiate and the precondition to that is the creation of a calm atmosphere.”

Elsewhere in his interview, Makarem-Shirazi alluded to President Ahmadinezhad’s recent threats that he might refuse to implement the economic reform plan, saying: “Many people, whether lower-class citizens or the elite, evade the law. They circumvent the law whenever they find it goes against their will and this can create many problems in society. If we respect the law, even if against us, it will be in the interest of everyone. If the law is dishonoured, anarchy will prevail. If everyone breaks the law because it is against their interest, then nothing will remain.

“If the president of a country says that he will not enforce a law approved by parliament, then the meaning of that action is that the parliament has no position in society. We should negotiate and even if we do not reach an agreement, we should respect the law.”

(Description of Source: Tehran Iranian Students News Agency in Persian — University student press agency; produces politically moderate reporting with emphasis on student activities. It is partially funded by the University Jihad, a state-backed student organization. In November 2007, Mehr News Agency reported that Jamal Rahimian, a lecturer in law and a member of Tehran University’s School of law and Political Science, and the deputy head of University Jihad in charge of cultural affairs in Tehran would be ISNA’s new head, taking over from Mir Hamid Hasanzadeh; URL: http://www.isna.ir) ‘

Charles D

I found it rather amusing that State Department spokesman Ian C. Kelly condemned the "continued harassment, arbitrary detention, and conviction of individuals for their participation in peaceful demonstrations." Apparently Mr. Kelly has not witnessed any peaceful demonstrations in the United States at major summits or political party conventions and doesn't realize we handle them the same way the Iranians do.

JamesL

I did not find much conciliation in the Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi translation.

"If everyone breaks the law because it is against their interest, then nothing will remain."

What are the people to do if the law does not serve them?

"If the president of a country says that he will not enforce a law approved by parliament, then the meaning of that action is that the parliament has no position in society."

While this is intended to address an Iranian issue, it equally warns against US Presidential signing statements by any President.

"We should negotiate and even if we do not reach an agreement, we should respect the law."

If, under the protection of the law, grave inequities of rights persist, and if law does not serve the needs of the people, respect for law degrades, and unrest grows. This is equally true in Iran, the US, or any nation. No one in want of bread or work would think this a complex idea.

Authorities blocked main roads into the city center and arrested dozens of demonstrators who sought to turn Iran's annual "Student Day" rallies into the latest in a series of protestsagainst the government that began about six months ago. Officials had declared such demonstrations illegal and threatened to meet them withforce.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Majid Tavakoli, a student at Polytechnic (Amir Kabir) University in Tehran, was arrested on his way out of the University after he gave a moving speech at ceremonies/protests held on the National Student’s Day in Iran.link to enduringamerica.comThe Latest from Iran (8 December): The Half-Full Victory?

According to the Amir Kabir student newsletter, Tavakoli was arrested last winter and served three months in jail after an appearance at commemoration ceremonies for former Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan. Tavakoli also spent over a year in jail after a 2007 arrest, and according to sources, he was tortured.

A human rights activist who has been working in Iran for years told me that Tavakoli’s arrest does not bode well because the regime may try to make him a scapegoat, painting him as the leader and instigator of the massive protests that took place today. “His only chance is that the international community supports him,” claimed the activist. That is a dramatic statement: usually families and friends of a prisoner take a back-door route to getting release orders; an appeal to the international community comes only to cases that look hopeless.

This was Tavakoli’s last entry on Facebook, posted on Saturday:

Only two more days (to 16 Azar). I have spent ten exhausting days on the road with more than 100 hours of driving and now I have to leave for Tehran. Looking at my mother’s tearful eyes and father’s anxious glances and despite all the difficulties only the true wish for freedom can maintain my drive and steadfastness. And so once again I welcome and accept all the dangers, standing next to my friends with whom I am honoured and proud to be on 16 Azar shoulder to shoulder we will shout against tyranny. For Freedom.

Anonymous

Robert

While I understand that the Middle East is the region with which you are most familiar and in which you are most interested (at least in terms of scholarship), I would be very interested in any thoughts you may have on events in Athens this week.

Greece may not be of supreme economic and strategic importance to U.S. planners, but student protesters are facing similar treatment from police with almost zero (maybe ENTIRELY zero) attention being paid them by major media outlets.

Thanks

Anonymous

Iran: New report says human rights as bad as at any time in last 20 yearsAmnesty09-Dec-2009Human rights violations in Iran are now as bad as at any time in the past 20 years, Amnesty International said today (10 December) in a new report six months on from June's presidential election.